Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Jeff Davis · Feb 17, 2022 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Northerly wind backed off around noon. Ample sunshine and temperatures in the teens above treeline.

Snowpack

6 inches of snow at 0.4" of SWE measured this morning at the Red Mountain Pass study plot. This was similar to the amount of snow at upper elevations. During the morning plums of snow driven by strong northerly wind observed around Silverton. Loading stopped by noon. Windward slopes were striped of any new snow at upper elevations and drifted pockets on leeward slopes up to 16" deep, most soft, but some stiffer pockets on ridgelines. One collapse observed today on the accent in a pocket of snow on a southwest aspect. Cracking on the surface but confined to new snow.

Avalanche

Avalanche on a SW aspect above "The Cemetery" Unknown trigger and thought to be small. Crown viewed from highway.